The Great Egret when wearing their ‘bridal feathers’ have become symbolic of the beauty of nature. Invariably one will appear on the cover of most all the nature / wildlife magazines each year. They are also the internationally known logo of the Audubon Society.
Those same feathers almost caused their extinction, being sold by the pound to hat manufacturers. I have always wondered how many Egrets were needed for a single pound of feathers.
I think about this each time our Environmental Protection Agency rolls back another regulation…
The feathers are so transparent, so light! Unique moment and photograph!
Thank you very much.
That is a truly stunning photo, Ted!! We are really missing our breeding egrets this year as the wetlands closed in March. Sadly, I agree with you about The dreadful history of the plume trade, and rollbacks on the migratory bird treaty act.
The easy to reach Egret spots are closed here too. A few are still within reach but for the most part we have chosen to stay in. Social distancing has been a problem here when we have had to go out.
Thanks 🙏🙏🙏
Our national wildlife refuge has become so crowded… it’s one of the only birding places/natural areas that is open. All the people who are missing just going to a community park are going to the refuge now. At least it’s large and people can spread out… But I’ll be very glad when other things open up.